Obama's Guantanamo Policy Condemned by PHR

Indefinite detention can cause psychological harm and should not be formal US policy

Cambridge, Mass - 03/10/2011

Cambridge, Mass. – March 10, 2011
– PHR condemns President Barack Obama’s recent announcement that military trials
would resume for detainees being held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The
decision formalizes the use of indefinite detention and marks a stark reversal
from the President’s initial promise to close the controversial prison.

Upon entering office, the President called for the closure of Guantanamo Bay.
However, soon after, Obama began to advocate for a new law of "preventive
detention,” which allows the United States to imprison people indefinitely and
without charges.

"To formalize this appalling policy of holding people forever without ever
telling them why goes against American values of justice,” said Frank Donaghue,
CEO of Physicians for Human Rights. "We are not only denying these detainees
due process, but engaging in policies that can cause serious psychological harm.”

"President Obama had it right when he
was a candidate running for office: This damaging policy must not be allowed to
continue,” said Donaghue.

As reported in numerous accounts by media and human rights organizations,
including PHR, many of the detainees held over the years at Guantanamo have
been subjected to various forms of ill-treatment, including torture. Until the
abuses which occurred at Guantanamo are fully investigated and those
responsible are held accountable, the standing of the United States as a nation
fully committed to human rights will remain in question.

"Especially for those that have already been
tortured, indefinite detention is an inexcusable continuation of abuse,” said
Donaghue.

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) is a New York-based advocacy organization that uses science and medicine to prevent mass atrocities and severe human rights violations. Learn more here.